Out and About – Week of March 3rd

I’d like to speak to anyone who thinks there is nothing to do here in Three Rivers. Beginning April 15, 2006, I started informing the fine citizens of this community of things to do right here in St. Joseph County. I have never run out of things to write about. Since that time, I’ve modified the column to include some personal experiences, a few helpful hints, and a bit of humor to lighten things up. Nothing depresses me more than bad news. If you want that, watch the evening news on television.

Speaking of things to do around here, how many of you attended any of the local high school sporting events this year? We had the opportunity, and made the time, to attend one of the Varsity Girls’ games a couple of weeks ago. They played with their hearts, and they trounced their opponent. The sad thing about that evening, was that there were plenty of empty seats available in the gym. They didn’t have a lucky night; they are just a good team. They even went on to advance to the District Playoffs. My point is this: for a few bucks, you can get out and support our high school students. They need our support, and the support is appreciated. I’ll try to attend more games next year.

The month of March is special. Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 9, which means we set our clocks ahead one hour. So we lose an hour’s worth of sleep. We’ve had the cold, dark winter to sleep, so we should all be ready to rise and shine. As March moves along, the chance of hearing about the wind chill is less and less. We can’t forget about St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. Too bad it doesn’t fall on a Friday or Saturday; that way the revelers would have a day to regain their composure.

A pessimist might complain about the amount of rain we will be blessed with, plus the chance of an occasional snowfall. The optimist, on the other hand, would be thinking about the buds and blossoms that are starting to appear on the foilage, a sure sign that spring will soon be here. We’ve had a tough winter, but we are survivors, and we did just that.

If you read this column early enough, you’ll know that the Trinity Episcopal Church, 321 North Main Street, here in Three Rivers, is hosting their annual Shrove Pancake Supper, this evening, March the fourth, from 5 until 7 PM. It’s a great opportunity to take the family out to breakfast at dinner time. Tickets are available at the door for $6 for adults and $2 for children. If you happen to have three or more children dining with you, the cost is only $5 for the kids.

My friend, Mary Ann, is directing the next production out at the Players’ Theatre here in Three Rivers. Cheaper by the Dozen is the play, and auditions are being held at the theatre this evening, Tuesday, March 4, and tomorrow evening, Wednesday, March 5. Both evenings’ auditions will begin promptly at 7 PM. Mary Ann is looking for actors of all ages, so here’s your chance to act on stage, or help in one of the many other ways with the production. The theatre is located at 15526 Millard Road, directly behind Dairy Queen.

We’re approaching that time of the year when the maple trees are tapped for that ingredient that makes delicious maple syrup possible. In celebration of the season, the Maple Row Sugarhouse will host Maple Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16. Maple Row Sugarhouse is located at 12684 Born Street, near Jones. You won’t want to miss the homemade pancake breakfast at 7 AM on Saturday, the fifteenth, followed by tours of the sugarhouse. The cost for breakfast is $7 for adults; children under three years old, eat for FREE. The hours on Saturday are from 7 AM until 4 PM, and if you decide to come out on Sunday just for the tours, they will run from 10 AM until 4 PM.

Making sure that I end this week’s column on a happy note, here are several more of “Life’s Little Instructions”: